CEO & Founder

Chief Operating Officer

Director of Education

Director of Partnerships & Growth

Director of First Nations & Community Engagement

Director of ICT & Process Excellence

Founder & CEO
DeadlyScience

Corey Tutt is a Kamilaroi man from Nowra, NSW, and a trailblazing First Nations STEM champion. He is the Founder and CEO of DeadlyScience, a not-for-profit providing STEM resources to remote education providers and connecting young First Nations people with STEM professionals.

Corey’s work has been widely recognised: he was named NSW Young Australian of the Year (2020), a Human Rights Hero by the Australian Human Rights Commission, received an Australian Museum Eureka Prize (2021), and a Medal of the Order of Australia (2022). In 2026, he was appointed Adjunct Associate Professor at Western Sydney University’s School of Science.

Corey is also an accomplished author and editor, including the Australian Geographic “DeadlyScience” series, The First Scientists, and This Book Thinks Ya Deadly. Through his work, he champions First Nations STEM knowledge and inspires the next generation of First Nations scientists.

Chair
Indigenous Engagement Lead
IAG

Darren Hammond is a proud Gomeroi man and a leader in First Nations workforce development. He is currently the Indigenous Engagement Lead at IAG and has previously served as CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence.

Throughout his career, Darren has worked across multiple financial services organisations, leading programs that create meaningful employment opportunities for First Nations people. He is committed to fostering leadership, empowerment, and pathways for First Nations communities.

The Dreaming Collective

Carly Forrest is a proud Mandandanji woman with over 12 years’ experience in community engagement, strategic leadership, and governance. She holds a Bachelor of Business and Human Resource Management and has worked across the higher and vocational education sectors, delivering culturally responsive strategies and impactful, results-driven programs.

Carly is the founder of The Dreaming Collective, a consultancy supporting Indigenous business capability, cultural governance, and strong relationships between First Nations communities and industry. 

Carly serves on the boards of Munimba-ja Indigenous Arts Centre, SciStarter Australia, and the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health RAP Advisory. As a mother of two, she is deeply committed to equity in education access and inspiring the next generation of First Nations scientists and innovators.

Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Manager
CEOs for Gender Equity

Henry Cooper is a youth empowerment and equity leader with a career dedicated to creating opportunities for marginalised communities. Born and raised in New York City, Henry has extensive experience as a youth worker in high schools, inspiring young people to realise their full potential.

He is currently the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Manager at CEOs for Gender Equity (CGE), collaborating with business leaders to drive inclusive workplaces and meaningful systemic change. Henry’s work is grounded in the belief that equity in education is essential for building a just and inclusive society, and he draws strong parallels between the experiences of African American communities and the challenges faced by First Nations peoples in education.

Through mentorship, advocacy, and partnership, Henry is committed to removing barriers, fostering representation, and empowering young people to achieve their dreams while strengthening communities for generations to come. 

Project Coordinator
Gathangga Wakulda Aboriginal Corporation

Jessica Tapp is a proud Biripi and Worimi woman with over 20 years’ experience in journalism, communications, and media management across not-for-profit and government sectors in New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory.

She holds a BA in Communications (Journalism) and a Graduate Diploma in Politics and Policy, and currently serves as Communications and Engagement Manager at First Languages Australia and as a Board Director at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia.

Drawing on her lived experience, Jessica empowers diverse communities to tell their stories, amplify their voices, and shape their futures.

Co-Founder
Call to Country

Katrina Byrne is a proud Noongar/Wilman woman and an accomplished professional with 18 years’ experience across the resources industry, including technology, innovation, First Nations affairs, business transformation, capability development, governance, and health and safety.

She is passionate about increasing First Nations representation in STEM, mentoring and advocating to inspire others to pursue careers in technology. 

Katrina is also the co-founder of Call to Country, a First Nations-led tech startup focused on embedding cultural competency into organisational operations to drive scalable change.

CEO
Cancer Trials Australia

Kurt Lackovic holds a PhD in Chemistry and an MBA from Melbourne Business School and has spent his career in medical research. He is currently the CEO of Cancer Trials Australia, overseeing clinical trials in metropolitan and regional hospitals nationwide.

Kurt also serves on the Board of the Australian Physiotherapy Council, chairing the Audit and Risk Committee, and is actively involved in STEM mentorship and education programs. He is passionate about developing the next generation of STEM leaders.

Commercial Director 
KBR’s Government Solutions

Matthew Connors is the Commercial Director of KBR’s Government Solutions business for the Asia Pacific region, overseeing commercial, contracting, procurement, and supply chain functions.

He has extensive experience across maritime, aviation, land, training systems, and ICT domains. Matthew holds Master’s-level qualifications in Law and Engineering Management, is admitted to the Supreme Court of the ACT, and is a Graduate of the AICD.

Indigenous Engagement Advisor

Mikaela French is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman of the Wagadagum tribe of Mabuyag and has lived and worked in communities across Far North Queensland. 

She was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2020, after earning a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Queensland University of Technology.

Mikaela has expertise in native title, cultural heritage protection, and community engagement with First Nations communities. In her role as an Indigenous Engagement Advisor in the energy and resources sector, she strengthens connections between First Nations communities and industry, and is passionate about advancing STEM education and opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.